Repeated right dorsolateral prefrontal continuous theta-burst stimulation improves subjective sleep quality and athletic performance in athletes with chronic insomnia
In a randomized, sham-controlled trial, 35 male athletes with chronic insomnia received either active cTBS or sham stimulation once daily for 7 days. Active cTBS produced a greater reduction in PSQI global score than sham, and improved countermovement jump height, 50 m sprint performance, and agility. Resting-state EEG microstate dynamics were also altered, but these changes are exploratory and not causal.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Repeated right dorsolateral prefrontal continuous theta-burst stimulation improves subjective sleep quality and athletic performance in athletes with chronic insomnia The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 42/100 (low).
The Claim
Repeated right dorsolateral prefrontal continuous theta-burst stimulation improves subjective sleep quality and athletic performance in athletes with chronic insomnia
This conclusion is most relevant to: Male athletes with chronic insomnia (mean age not specified; 35 randomized, 32 with usable EEG data).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Repeated Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation Modulates Resting-State EEG Microstate Dynamics in Athletes with Chronic Insomnia. (Brain sciences, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸cTBS modulates cortical excitability in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- ▸Alters resting-state EEG microstate dynamics (increased microstate C duration/contribution, reduced microstate A occurrence)
- ▸Changes directional transitions among microstates B, C, and D
- ▸Associated with improved subjective sleep quality and athletic performance
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Male athletes with chronic insomnia (mean age not specified; 35 randomized, 32 with usable EEG data)
Recommended Dose
7 daily sessions of cTBS (specific parameters not reported in abstract)
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Exploratory nature of EEG findings; microstate changes are potential correlates, not causal evidence
- ▸Small sample size (35 randomized, 32 analyzed) and all-male sample limits generalizability
- ▸No objective sleep measures (e.g., polysomnography) were used; only subjective PSQI
- ▸Short intervention duration (7 days) and lack of follow-up assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cTBS?▼
Continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) is a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation that uses bursts of pulses at theta frequency to modulate cortical excitability, typically producing inhibitory effects.
How long does the treatment last?▼
The study used once-daily sessions for 7 days, but the abstract does not specify the duration of each session or the persistence of effects after treatment.
Does cTBS improve athletic performance?▼
Yes, active cTBS improved countermovement jump height, 50 m sprint performance, and agility compared to sham, which only improved sprint performance.
What are EEG microstates?▼
EEG microstates are brief, quasi-stable patterns of brain electrical activity that reflect large-scale network dynamics. Changes in their temporal parameters and transitions can indicate altered brain function.
References
- 1.He X, Cheng B, He H, Zhao L, Li Y. “Repeated Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation Modulates Resting-State EEG Microstate Dynamics in Athletes with Chronic Insomnia..” Brain sciences, 2026. PMID: 42651151 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci16080841